Raw coffee bean fetches handsome prices despite low yield in Thandaunggyi Tsp

The perennial coffee plants in Thandaunggyi Township, Hpa-an District, Kayin State experience low yield this year, yet the price edges up.
Thandaunggyi Township is a hill region and residents are engaged in the agribusinesses. The region is renowned for its organic coffee (Arabica and Robusta coffee).
Earlier, the producers were not capable to manufacture quality coffee beans due to a lack of technology. The Agriculture Department went on a field trip and demonstrated the know-how to produce top-quality coffee.
Last year, the coffee beans were priced only K3,500-4,000 per viss (a viss equals 1.6 kilogrammes), whereas it slightly rose to K4,500-5,000 per viss this year.
Myanmar’s coffee has already earned a good reputation.  It has penetrated markets in Asia such as Hong Kong and Singapore, some European countries, and the US, and it has good potential in the global market, according to the Agriculture Department.
Myanmar’s coffee has grabbed a market share in the US, with the support of USAID and WinRock International NGO. Efforts are being made to penetrate markets in Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Canada.
However, the impacts of coronavirus hurt the coffee industry as the lockdown and physical distancing caused a reduction in consumption.
There are 40,000 acres of highland coffee plantations and about 10,000 acres under lowland coffee in Myanmar, totalling 50,000 acres. Shan State is the main producer of coffee beans.
Coffee beans are harvested between December and February. They are distributed and exported throughout the year after harvest time. Myanmar earlier exported around 400 tonnes of coffee to foreign partners every year. — Saw Mintha (IPRD), KK/GNLM